About video games
Video games immerse us in the universal joy of play unlike any other, and the joy of playing video games is open to all. It’s a rare world where it doesn’t matter how old we are, what we look like, where we come from or what we do for a living; whether we’re playing in a big city or a small town. When we play, our differences are irrelevant. When we play, we can explore new worlds, discover history, solve challenges, and most importantly, have fun.
Video games are an incredibly old medium
On January 25, 1947, the first patent for a “cathode-ray tube amusement device” was filed in the United States Patent Office. The first experimental video game was shown in the late 1950s, and Computer Space, the first commercial video game, was released in 1971. In 1975, the first home console video game system was sold, paving the way for widespread consumer access to games.
Today, video games are used across parts of societies that you probably wouldn’t expect. For example, in schools and workplaces to educate and train employees, and in hospital care, aged care, and psychological care, to help us live well by providing mental and physical stimulation.
Today, unsurprisingly, video games have also spawned one of the most vibrant and active fan bases, with fans congregating at major international popular culture festivals and competing online in competitive esports. There are thousands of titles available, as well as hundreds of platforms on which to play them. There are numerous video game genres, as well as numerous objectives and motivations for playing them.
Here’s some facts from 2020 to set the scene today:
The power of play
We play in a variety of ways: we play with toys, we play sports, we act, we play music, we play with language, we play with ideas, and so on.
Today, video games are used across parts of societies that you probably wouldn’t expect. For example, in schools and workplaces to educate and train employees, and in hospital care, aged care, and psychological care, to help us live well by providing mental and physical stimulation.
Today, unsurprisingly, video games have also spawned one of the most vibrant and active fan bases, with fans congregating at major international popular culture festivals and competing online in competitive esports. There are thousands of titles available, as well as hundreds of platforms on which to play them. There are numerous video game genres, as well as numerous objectives and motivations for playing them.
1. Power to connect
In an age that often feels more divided than ever, video games allow us to connect with others in new and familiar ways, while also providing a path forward to reimagine the intersection of play, the power of communities, and the significance of social impact.
Today, approximately XYZ% of adult players play with others, frequently in teams that meet online. Brought together by servers and matchmaking algorithms, these players who would not have connected in real life now learn how to work together to achieve a common goal.
2. Power to learn
Educators and educational institutions are becoming more interested in the potential role of video games in enhancing young people’s learning experiences. Video games are being used in the classroom by teachers to increase student engagement and learning outcomes. Video games are also assisting them in encouraging teamwork, strategic thinking, and reconnecting students who are struggling in school, particularly when more traditional approaches have failed to unlock their full potential.
According to recent research, girls who play video games are more likely to enrol in STEM programs than those who do not.
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3. Power to live well
Video games are increasingly being used to provide important therapeutic treatments, such as those for ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke neurorehabilitation. Numerous studies show that playing video games on a regular basis can help with chronic low back pain or improve Visual Selective Attention after use. Games, when used in conjunction with therapeutic treatment, can provide the support a patient may require in order to recover faster and better.
